Thermally-controlled safety handle for doors



Nov. 3, 1925,. I

A. GABRIEL ET AL THERMALLY comnowan smm HANDLE FOR moons 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 j Filed Jan. 28. 1 4

Nov. 3, 1925. 1,560,509

A. GABRIEL ET AL THERMALLY CONTROLLED SA FETY HANDLE FQR DOORS Filed Jan. 28. 1924 2 Sheet-Sheet 2 fi'2/672267'ifi mam i,

Patented Nov. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES ADAM GABRIEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND WILLIAM F. DOENGES, OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS; SAID GABRIEL ASSIGNOR 'IO SAID DOENGES.

THERMALLY-GONTBOLLED SAFETY HANDLE FOR DOORS.

Application filed January 28, 1924. Serial No. 688,936.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ADAM GABRIEL, a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois,

and WVILLIAM F. DonNens, a citizen of the United States, residing in San Antonio, county of Bexar, and State of Texas, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Thermally-Controlled Safety Handles for Doors, and declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to actuating handles for the shafts or spindles that throw the bolt mechanism on the doors of vaults or safes, particularly such handles as are normally loose on shafts or spindles and can be operatively connected to the same only by the manipulation of a key; and it has for one of its objects to produce a simple and novel construction which will offer great resistance to the efforts of the burglar or other unauthorized attempts to open a door.

t might be possible, by applying heat to a handle of the kind to which this invention generally relates, to produce a binding effect which would cause the handle to ob tain a sufficient hold on the shaft or spindle without the use of a key to permit the shaft or spindle to be turned thereby, or a hole might be burned through the handle to give access to the shaft. A further object of the present invention is to provide a temperature-controlled safety device which will -make the shaft or spindle inoperative to throw the bolt mechanism if the handle is heated to a degree much less than that required to bring about either of the conditions just named.

The various features of novelty whereby our invention is characterized will hereinafter he pointed out with particularity in the claims; but, for a full understanding of our invention and of its objects and advantages, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is an axial section through one of our devices applied to a door, a fragshaft.

ment of the door being shown; Fig. 2 is also an axial section through a fragment of the device, taken on a different plane than Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a top plan View, on a Small er scale than Fig. 1, of the left hand end of the device as it appears in Fig. 1, the door being omitted; Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the device, on the same scale as Fig. 3, looking toward the right at the de vice as it appears in Fig. 1; and Figs, 5 and 6 are sections taken respectively on lines 5-5 and 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a wall which will usually be a door. A shaft 2 extends through and is rotatable in this wall. On that end of the shaft that lies on the inner or rear side of the wall, if the latter be a door, is fixed a detachable member 3, the same being conveniently held in place by means of a nut at screwed upon the Extending over and concealing the ends of the shaft on the opposite side of the door is a heavy metal cup-shaped casing 5, preferably cylindrical in form, the open end of the casing bearing directly against the front or outer face of the door.

Within the open end of the casing is a cover or closing device which may conveniently take the form of a disc 6 screwed into the casing and followed by a suitable lock-nut 7, also screwed into the casing. The bearing that supports the casing on the shaft is in the closing device 6 and the latter is therefore preferably provided with an elongated central hub 8 projecting laterally therefrom in opposite directions; the shaft or spindle extending through this hub. On the inner end the shaft is an enlargement 9 between which and the inner end of the hub is an antifriction thrust bearing 10. It will be seen that when the parts are assembled, both the casing and the shaft are held against axial movements relatively to each other and also relatively to the door, while'they are rotatable relatively to each other and also relatively to the door.

\Vithin the closed end of the casing is a lock adapter in the form of. a thick sleeve 11, Within which is mounted a suitable lock 12 preferably of the cylinder type. The end wall of the casing is provided with a hole 13 to permit the insertion of a key into the look. In the arrangement shown, there is arranged in the opening 13 a cap 14 having a central slot 15 for the reception of a key,

this cap concealing the outer end of the cylinder 16 of the lock which is, however, permitted to extend part way through the end wall of the casing. The lock adapter may be fixed to the casing in any suitable way, as for example, by forcing it into its seat and screwing the ends 17 of an operating handle 18 through the cylindrical wall of the casing and into the adapter. Between the lock adapter and the closing: device 6 is a thick sleeve 19 that constitutes a spacer for properly locating the closing device, and also a thick inner wall for the central portion of the casing so as to make it necessary to break through two Walls in order to gain access to the end of the shaft or spindle.

The casing is adapted to be interlocked with the shaft, so as to enable it to rotate the latter by suitable clutch mechanism. In the arrangement shown, this mechanism consists of a block 20 slidable in a slot or guideway 21 extending diametrically across the casing between the contacting ends of the lock adapter and the sleeve 19; the member 20 having a lug 22 projecting therefrom on the side directed toward the shaft; and this lug being adapted to be shifted from an idle or inoperative position within a notch 23 in the sleeve 19 into an operative or work ing position within a notch 24 cut into the periphery of the enlarged inner end of the shaft. There is a spring 25 arranged within a socket in the member 20 and operating at one end against the cylindrical wall of the casing, which tends constantly to move the member 20 into and hold it in its working position. The action of the spring is controlled by and the member 210 is moved into and locked in its idle or inoperative position by means of an eccentric stud 26 fixed to the inner end of the lock cylinder 16 and projecting into a suitably shaped hole 27 in the member 20. Between the member 20 and the end face of the shaft is a thrust hearing which is shown as taking the form of a plate 28 extending across the inner face of the member 20 and fixed to the lock adapter so as to be held against rotation, together with a. plate 29 fixed to the end of the shaft and having at the axis of the shaft a bearing point or prejection 30 that engages with the plate 28. This arangement prevents the clutch member 20 from binding and thus relieves the lock of unnecessary stressesthat might otherwise be imposed thereon; the plate 28 being adapted to rock within small limits on the bearing point 80. The sleeve 19 and the plate 28 must be held against rotation in the casing. This may conveniently be accomplished, as best shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, by securing in the lock adapter dowel pins 32, arranged parallel with the longitudinal axis of the casing, and long enough to project through the sleeve 19; and

the bearing plate 28 being so positioned that the dowel pins pass through the same.

hen the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 1, the casing may be turned freely on the shaft without rotating the latter. When the key is inserted in the lock and the cylinder given a half turn, the spring 25 presses the member 20 down until the lug 22 enters the notch 21 in the shaft, thus locking the casing and the shaft together so that they must rotate as a unit.

'lhe shaft or spindle usually operates on the bolt mechanism, not shown, through suitable arm or finger which, in the arrangement shown, is a fork projecting radially from the shaft at the end behind the door. If it were possible to bind the casing to the shaft by applying heat while the ps are in the position shown in Fig. 1. or if access were gained to the shaft by burning off or burning a sufiiciently large hole through the casing, it would be possible to unlock the door. To prevent this, we have provided means for rendering the shaft inoperative to throw the bolt mecha nism in the event that heat is applied to the casing. This is accomplisheijl, in the arrangement shown, by mounting the fork 35 on the shaft in such a way that wnile normaily it occupies an operative position, upon the aoplication of heat to the c f that is, whatmay be termed tic opera mg handie for the shaft, a catch or other holding device will be released and the fork will be caused to assume an inoperative position. The fork is mounted in a guideway 36 extending diametrically across the inner end of the head 3 on the shaft, and it is adapted to slide freely along said guideway. On one end of the fork memler are laterally pro ecting ii,

that, in the working position of the ab't against soiid portions of the head ii. l o: convenience in manufacture, these may be the enes of a plate 38 me. across the end of the fork member. head contains sockets within which arranged springs 39 each of which at one end on one of the cars 37; the springs being under compression, so that when free to do so, they w'll force the fork member along the guideway from i "we or working position into an As a n' titer of fact, the

comp for r2: member end of the she from moving the lOl'l: member out of its working position; but, when the rod withdrawn, the springs inunei iteiy come into play and the fork is rendered inoperative to perform its function of actuating the bolt mechanism. The passage in the sl ft through which the rod 40 extends is enlan d into the form of a chamber in that end of the shalt enclose within the casing or handle. In this char .ier a compression spring that cngag s at one end the bottom wall of the chamber and at its other end with a shoulder on rod; the spring tending constantly to move the rod in the direction to withdraw it from the notch in the fork member. l lormally the rod is locked in its locking position, through the engagement of the head thereof with a small disc it-5 attached to the shaft by solder d6 which will melt when heat is applied to the handle or casing and thus permit the spring to move the rod into released position. For convenience in ma;- ing the soldered joint, the disc 4 .5, instead of being attached directly to the shaft, may be fastened to a bushing 4t? of brass or other suitable material. screwed or otherwise litted into the shaft. lit will thus be seen that long before the outer end of the shaft could be exposed, by burning away the surrounding casing, it would be rendered inoperative to unlock the bolt mechanism.

This thermally controhcd protective device serves also a mechanical controller in the event that the sha t could be broken without the application heat; becau,--.:e upon the breaking of the shaft, between its ones, the rod would be withdrawn from the notch in the fork member and the latter would be moved out of its working position. As a further protection, we prefer to weaken the shaft in the plane of the outer face of the door, by cutt. 4' into it at this point a groove Thus, if blows or other force, suflicient to bro 1 the shaft, plied to the ca ,ng or hand e, be broken within the pit face of the door and faces that can. be gripped in a tool to turn the same.

v e claim: 1 In combination, a wall, bolt-actuating shaft extending through said wall, a

bolt actuator associated with the shaft on one side of the wall, a handle member on the shaft on the other side of the wall, and means controlled by the temperature within said handle for bringing about an inoperative relation between the shaft and said actuator.

2. In combination, a wall, a bolt-actuating shaft extending through said wall, a bolt actuator associated with the shaft on one side of the wall, a handle member loose on the shaft on the other side of the Wall, means in the handle member for locking it to the shaft, and means controlled by the temperature in the handle for bringing about an inoperative relation between the shaft and said actuator.

3. In combination, a wall, a bolt-operating shaft extending through the wall, a bolt actuator on the shaft in rear of the wall, a temperature controlled device on the exterior of the wall, and means controlled by said device for rendering said bolt actuator inoperative.

4. In combination, a wall, a bolt-operat" means controlled by the temperature in front of said wall for normally holding said actuator in its operative position and caus ing it to assume its inoperative position upon a predetermined rise in temperature.

5. In combination, a shaft, a member mounted on said shaft and movable thereon from a working position to an inoperative position, means tending constantly to move said member into its inoperative position, a catch for locking saidmember in its working position, and means controlled by the temperature at a point on the shaft remote from said member for releasing said catch.

6. In combination, a shaft, having a transverse guide thereon, a member slidable in said guide from a working position to an idle position, spring means tending constantly to move said member into its idle position, a catch for locking said member in its working position, said catch having a part extending to a remote point on the shaft, and temperature controlled means at said remote point cooperating with the aforesaid part to release the catch.

7. In combination, a wall, a bolt-actuating shaft extending through said wall, a bolt actuator associated with the shaft on one side of the wall, means for bringing about an inoperative relation between the shaft and said actuator, and a device controlled by the temperature on the other side of said wall for causing said means to act.

8. In combination, a wall, a bolt-operating shaft extending through the wall, a bolt actuator mounted on the shaft in rear of the wall and movable on the shaft from an operative position to an inoperative position, a handle loose on the shaft in front of the wall, means in the handle for locking the ing said actuator to assume its inoperative position when the said temperature rises above a predetermined point.

' 9. In combination, a wall, a shaft extend ing through said wall, a member mounted on said shaft on one side of said wall and movable thereon from a working position to an inoperative position, means tending constantly to move said member into its inoperative position, a catch for locking said member in its working position, a handle loose on the shaft on the other side of said wall, means in the handle for locking the latter to said shaft, and means controlled by the temperature in said handle for releasing said catch.

10. In combination, a wall, a shaftextending through said wall, said shaft having a passage extending lengthwise through the same, a member mounted on said shaft on one side of said wall and movable thereon from a working position to an inoperative position, means tending constantly to move said member into an inoperative position, a rod extending through said passage in the shaft for holding said member in its working position, and a device controlled by the temperature on the other side of the wall for moving said rod to release said member when the temperature reaches a predetermined point.

11. In combination, a wall, a shaft ex tending through said wall, said shaft having a passage extending lengthwise through the same, a member mounted on said shaft 011 one side of said wall and movable there on from a working position to an inoperative position, means tending constantly to move said member into an inoperative position, a rod extending through said passage in the shaft for holding said member in its working position, a handle loose on the shaft on the other side of the Wall, means for locking the handle to the shaft, and means controlled by the temperature of the handle for moving said rod to release said member.

12. In combination, a wall, a shaft extending through said wall, said shaft having a passage extending lengthwise through the same, a member mounted on said shaft on one side of said wall and movable thereon from a working position to an inoperative position, means tending constantly to move said member into an inoperative position, a rod extending'through said passage in the shaft for holding said member in its Working position, a spring cooperating with said rod to move it into a position to release said member, and a fusible element normally preventing the spring from moving said rod.

13. In combination, a wall, a shaft extending through said wall, said shaft having a passage extending lengthwise through the .the handle to the shaft, a spring same, a member mounted on said shaft on one side of said wall and movable thereon from a working position to an inoperative position, means tending constantly to move said member into an inoperative position, a rod extending through said passage in the shaft for holding said member-in its working position, a handle loose on the shaft on the other side of the wall, means for locking cooperating with said rod to move it into a position to release said member, and a fusible element in said handle normally preventing the spring from moving said rod.

14, In combination, a wall, a shaft extending through said wall, said shaft having on one side of the wall a guideway extending transversely of the same, a member mounted to slide in said guideway,

spring means tending to move said member in one direction along said guideway, a catch for holding said member against movement in said direction, and means con trolled by the temperature adjacent to the shaft on the other side of the wall for re leasing the catch.

15. In combination, a cylindrical cupshaped casing, a lock adapter in the closed end of the same, a closing device fitted into the open end of the casing, a thick sleeve of substantially the same external diameter as the internal diameter of the casing engaged at its ends with the lock adapter and the closing device, a shaft extending through said closing device, said shaft having a pcripheral notch at its inner end, the contacting end of the lock adapter and the sleeve having a transverse slot between the same, a member slidable in said slot and having a lug adapted to enter said notch in one position of said member and stand clear of said notch in another position of said member, and means including a lock device mounted in said lock adapter for moving said member from one of said positions to another.

16. In combination, a wall, a shaft extending through said wall, a shoulder on said shaft engaging with one face of the wall, a handle fitting over and rotatable on the end of the shaft on the other side of the wall, said handle fitting closely against the wall, key-controlled means within said handle for looking it to said shaft and said shaft being weakened in the vicinity of the plane of theface of the wall with which the handle engages.

17. In combination, a cup-shaped casing, a closing device fitted into the open end of the casing, a shaft extending through said closing device, said shaft having an enlargement thereon within the casing, a thrust bearing between said enlargement and said closing device, a member mounted in the casing opposite the inner end of the shaft and adapted to slide transversely of the shaft, a Wearing plate between the said member and the end face of the shaft, a bearing point carried by the shaft at the axis thereof and engaged With said Wearing plate, cooperating parts on the shaft and said member to lock said shaft and said member together in one position of said member and permit the shaft and said member to rotate relatively to each other in 10 another position of said member, and key controlled means for moving said member from one of said positions to the other.

In testimony whereof, We Sign this specifioation.

ADAM GABRIEL. WILLIAM F. DOENGES. 

